DUP minister steps in to save Irish language programme with £100,000 grant

A DUP minister has stepped in to save an Irish language programme facing the axe.

The Irish language schools scheme was in dire straits before education minister Paul Givan rubber stamped a £100,000 grant — just months after he declined an offer to even meet the group behind it.

It was feared that the Scoil Spreagtha scheme, which aims to promote the use of Irish by under-11s, was facing a bleak future due to a lack of funding with no further avenues in sight.

The minister had initially refused to even meet with Gael Linn, the group behind the scheme, following a request earlier this year.

However, it is understood the education minister had a change of heart following a personal request from SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone.

The minister met with the group and Mr McGlone — who brokered the meeting — in May and after lengthy discussions it was reported that Mr Givan would “look again” at funding options for the project.

A source with knowledge of the meeting told The Irish News: “What could have been quite a short meeting turned out to be quite a lengthy discussion and it is my understanding that the minister really listened to what they had to say about the project.”

It is understood that the money is coming from the RAISE programme, which is funded through the Shared Island Fund and then allocated to projects across the north through the Department for Education.

Scoil Spreagtha was first launched as a pilot scheme two years ago and has involved more than 82 schools, with as many again across the north expressing an interest in taking part.

However, the group had been unable to secure funding to continue the scheme beyond its pilot phase.

Gael Linn CEO Réamonn Ó Ciaráin told The Irish News that the grant was a “good news story” for the blossoming Irish language group.

“It will allow us to proceed with the project which will increase the presence of the Irish language in English medium primary schools here in the north,” he said.

“It is a wonderful scheme and it needed funding to continue. We have this funding now, which is much needed and will certainly help us for the next year at least.

“It’s fantastic to see this scheme operating because of the joy that the children get and the support that the teachers get.

“We’re so happy that the funding has arrived and arrived at such an important time for the scheme.”

Patsy McGlone said: “The Scoil Spreagtha scheme has given thousands of young people the chance to learn Irish in schools across the North. There was huge disappointment earlier this year when it looked set to end due to a lack of funding, depriving pupils of the chance to develop their Irish and all the skills that come with it.

“I worked with Gael Linn to explore every opportunity to save this scheme and made direct representations to education minister Paul Givan on their behalf. I joined them in a meeting with the minister earlier this year and am glad that he listened to the positive experiences of schools and pupils and has now confirmed that funding will be in place for another year.

“This decision is a real credit to everyone at Gael Linn for their dedication to our young people and the Irish language. I’ll continue working to ensure funding is secured in future years so that every pupil who wants to learn Irish has that opportunity.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “Engagement with Gael Linn in relation to the Scoil Spreagtha programme is ongoing."